The Discontented Tree.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 7, 6 December 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Discontented Tree.

ADAPTED FROM THE GEIOIAN OF IVUCKEM. By E. M. Traquaik. ! Within the forest glad and free, Though suns were hot and winds were keen, A little pine grew straight and fine, But clad, for leaves, with needles green. This did not please the little tree, Which gayer, brighter, longed to be. " How prettily my mates are dressed In gay green foliage, one and all 1 But not a child will look at me, Although I'm growing straight and tall. Oh, if the wish were not too bold, I would have leaves of shining gold 1" 'Twas night, and all the forest slept, And with it slept our little tree ; At morn it woke with golden leaves, And was not that a sight to see ? " There's not m all the wood so fine A tree," it said, " with leaves like mine." But long before the day was done . A money-lender came that way ; He had a sack upon his back, And when he saw the glittering prey He gathered all the leaves of gold, And left the branches bare and cold. The (sapling hid its head m grief, And mourned its glittering leaves of gold. " My mates," it said, " are nicely clad, While I stand naked here and cold. I dare not wish again, alas 1 Or else I'd wish for leaves of glass." 'Twas night again, and all things slept ; And with them slept our little tree ; It woke with leaves of crystal clear — It was a brilliant sight to see. " No tree," it said, " like me can shine, Or has such pretty leaves as mine." But soon a mighty wind arose That turned and tossed the branches all ; As on it swept across the wood It made the crystal leaflets fall, And morning found them there, alas 1 Scattered and broken on the grass. The sapling gave a heavy moan. It looked so naked, poor, and mean, While all the other trees stood there Still glorious m their dress of green. "I'm sure," it said, " this wish were best, That I had green leaves like the rest." When all things slept at eventide, And woke again at morning gray Adorned with young and juicy leaves, The little tree was glad and gay. "They've leaves," it said, "and I've the same — I need not hang my head for shame." Agoat'came down, the mountain-side ._ In search of fields and pastures fair ; Its young ones warned grass and herbs, But all the hills about were bare. It spied our sapling's foliage green, And set to work and ate it clean. Our little tree again was bare, And sadly to itself it said, " No more I'll wish for leaves again, Or green or yellow, white or red. I'm sure I never should complain Had I my needles back again." It sadly slept at eventide, And sad at morning woke the tree ; But when the sun shone out it looked, And nearly laughed aloud for glee. The reason of its joy was plain — Its needles all were there again.